JP2012000876A - Variable printing inspection device and variable printing inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a variable printing inspection device and a variable printing inspection method which properly perform inspection of variable printing.SOLUTION: The variable printing inspection device for inspecting a printed matter made by variable printing includes: an image compositing part for compositing an object to the fixed area and variable area of variable printing thereby generating a composite image; a printing part for printing the composite image on a paper to create the printed matter; an image reading part for reading the printed matter to output a scan image; and an inspection part for determining whether or not the printed matter is good based on the result of comparing the composite image with the scan image. The inspection part uses the object composited to the fixed area as a target for comparison to compare the fixed area according to a first determination criterion.

Description

  The present invention relates to a variable printing inspection apparatus and a variable printing inspection method for inspecting a printed matter of variable printing.

  In recent years, a technique (Transaction Mail Promotion: so-called transpromo) in which transaction information and promotional advertisements are combined and printed on a monthly invoice or usage statement document and mailed has become widespread. This transpromo uses variable printing. In variable printing, a reuse object is held in a cache memory and reused to increase processing efficiency.

  As described above, in the variable printing, the configuration of the printed matter output for each user is different. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect whether an appropriate image is arranged at an appropriate position for each user or whether each printed matter is appropriately printed. And this inspection work takes a lot of time and effort. Against this background, various methods have been proposed for inspection of variable printing.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, first identification information generating means for generating identification information for each printed matter based on user data, identification information converting means for converting the identification information into a printable identification image, Using user data and a form, a variable printing unit that performs processing for overlay printing of the printed matter with the identification image, and a list in which the user data and the identification information are associated are generated and printed out. Inspection apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus that includes a list printing unit that performs processing for processing; an identification image reading unit that reads the identification image; and an inspection processing unit that performs inspection by converting the identification image into identification information And a printed product inspection system including the apparatus.

JP 2007-109117 A

  The method of Patent Document 1 is a method for inspecting whether an appropriate image is arranged at an appropriate position for each user, but in order to inspect whether each printed matter is appropriately printed, It is necessary to compare the images printed on the screen to determine whether it is good or bad.

  Here, the variable printing is composed of an area common to all users (referred to as a fixed area), an area that changes for each user (referred to as a variable area), and another area (referred to as a margin area). However, since each area has a different role in variable printing, the image quality required for characters and images arranged in each area also differs.

  For example, since characters and images synthesized in the fixed area are printed on all printed materials and there are reference images, it is considered that the quality of image quality greatly affects the appearance of variable printing. On the other hand, the characters and images synthesized in the variable area are printed only on the printed matter of each user, and there is no reference image or there are a large number of reference images. Is considered to have little effect on the appearance of variable printing. In addition, the character synthesized in the fixed area is remarkably deteriorated if there is a bit shift, but the image combined in the fixed area is considered not to deteriorate much even if there is a bit shift.

  In this way, since the degree of influence on the appearance varies depending on the type of area and the type of object synthesized in the area, it is possible to determine pass / fail according to an appropriate standard according to the type of area and the type of object. preferable.

  However, since it has been determined based on a uniform standard in the past, for example, a printed matter that has no problem in practice, such as a simple 1-bit shift or a density difference that is not different by the human eye, is determined to be NG. On the contrary, there is a case in which a printed matter having a problem may be determined to be OK, and there is a problem that inspection of variable printing cannot be performed properly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide a variable printing inspection apparatus and a variable printing inspection method capable of appropriately executing inspection of variable printing.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a variable printing inspection device for inspecting a printed matter of variable printing, and an image composition unit that composes an object in a fixed area and a variable area of variable printing to generate a composite image; Based on the result of comparing the synthesized image and the scanned image, a printing unit that prints the synthesized image on a sheet to create a printed material, an image reading unit that reads the printed material and outputs a scanned image, and the printed material An inspection unit for determining whether the product is acceptable or not, and the inspection unit uses the object synthesized in the fixed region as a comparison target, and compares the fixed region according to a first determination criterion, or the fixed region is The comparison is performed according to a first determination criterion, and the variable region is compared according to a second determination criterion different from the first determination criterion.

  The present invention is also a variable printing inspection method for inspecting a printed matter of variable printing, an image combining step of generating a composite image by combining an image of an object with a fixed region and a variable region of variable printing, and the composite image The printing step of printing a sheet on a sheet to create a printed material, the image reading step of reading the printed material and outputting a scanned image, and the result of comparing the synthesized image and the scanned image, the quality of the printed material is determined. An inspection step for determining, and in the inspection step, the object synthesized in the fixed area is set as a comparison target, and the fixed area is compared in accordance with a first determination criterion. The variable region is in accordance with a second criterion different from the first criterion. It is intended to be compared.

  According to the variable printing inspection apparatus and the variable printing inspection method of the present invention, variable printing inspection can be appropriately executed.

  The reason is that when judging the quality of the printed material based on the result of comparing the synthesized image obtained by synthesizing each object in each area based on the variable print data and the scanned image read from the printed material printed with the synthesized image. In addition, the fixed area is a comparison target and the variable area is excluded from the comparison target. This is also because the fixed area and the variable area are compared according to different criteria.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a variable printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the variable print data generation apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the variable printing inspection apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the correct print layout which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process (outline | summary of inspection process) of the variable printing inspection apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process (correct image registration process of FIG. 5) of the variable printing inspection apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process (inspection image registration process of FIG. 5) of the variable printing inspection apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process (inspection process of FIG. 5) of the variable printing inspection apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, in variable printing, the degree of influence on the appearance varies depending on the type of area and the type of object combined in that area. Although it is required to determine pass / fail according to the standard, there has been a problem that inspection of the variable printing cannot be performed properly because the standard is conventionally determined based on a uniform standard.

  Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, an image obtained by combining each object in each region based on variable print data (correct image) is compared with an image obtained by scanning a printed material on which the composite image is printed (inspection image). Based on the result, when determining the quality of the printed matter, the fixed area is a comparison target, the variable area is excluded from the comparison target, the fixed area is compared according to the first determination criterion, or the fixed area is compared. The comparison is performed according to the first determination criterion, and the variable region is compared according to a second determination criterion different from the first determination criterion. Further, the tendency of the result of the quality determination of the printed matter is statistically analyzed, and feedback is performed so as to readjust the setting values of each determination criterion.

  As a result, the inspection of the variable printing can be appropriately executed, and the result of the automatic inspection can be brought closer to a human sense.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a variable printing inspection apparatus and a variable printing inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a variable printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a variable print data generating device, and FIG. 3 is a variable print inspection. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correct print layout, and FIGS. 5 to 8 are flowcharts illustrating processing of the variable print inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a variable printing system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a variable print data generation device 20 that generates variable language print data, analyzes the variable language print data, outputs a printed material, and outputs the printed material. The variable printing inspection apparatus 30 (variable printing apparatus) that performs inspection is connected. The variable print data generation apparatus 20 and the variable printing inspection apparatus 30 are connected by a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Has been.

  In this embodiment, the variable print inspection apparatus 30 outputs and inspects the printed material. However, the apparatus for outputting the printed material and the apparatus for inspecting the printed material may be configured as separate devices. In this embodiment, the variable print inspection device 30 analyzes the variable language print data to generate image data for each page, and executes printing based on the image data for each page. A print control device (controller) that analyzes the print data and generates image data for each page may be provided, and the image data for each page may be transmitted from the print control device to the variable print inspection device 30. Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail.

[Variable print data generator]
The variable print data generation apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, a layout control editing unit 22, a variable print control unit 23, an internal DB operation unit 24, a variable print data generation unit 25, a communication interface unit 26, and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like, and a program stored in the ROM or the HDD is stored in the RAM. And executed by the CPU. Also, the HDD stores layout data defining the arrangement of objects in variable printing, image data before rasterization, a customer database including user information, a page image internal DB, which will be described later, and the like.

  The layout control editing unit 22 creates / edits layout data and stores it in the HDD. The layout data includes a layout frame in which parts of variable print data are embedded and control information for embedding image data in the layout frame.

  The variable printing control unit 23 creates a page image internal DB by linking the item of the customer database in the HDD and the layout frame of the designated layout data.

  The internal DB operation unit 24 performs DB operations such as sorting / looping the page image internal DB. Variable print data is generated based on the page image internal DB.

  The variable print data generation unit 25 uses the page image internal DB processed by the internal DB operation unit 24 to generate variable print data.

  The communication interface unit 26 is a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, or the like, and connects the variable print data generation device 20 to a communication network and performs communication processing with the variable print inspection device 30.

[Variable printing inspection equipment]
The variable printing inspection apparatus 30 is an image forming apparatus such as a network printer or a multi-function peripheral (MFP), and includes a control unit 31, an object management unit 32, a variable language analysis unit 33, and an image RIP (Raster Image Processor). A unit 34, an image composition unit 35, a printing unit 36, an image reading unit 37, an inspection unit 38, a display operation unit 39, a communication interface unit 40, and the like.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an HDD, and the like. The program stored in the ROM and the HDD is expanded on the RAM and executed by the CPU. The RAM has a cache memory for storing reusable objects, an area for storing a reusable object management table for managing reusable object names, a work area for performing image composition, and a frame buffer area for storing synthesized images.

  The object management unit 32 stores the reuse object in the cache memory and registers the object name in the reuse object management table. In addition, it has a function of retrieving registered reuse objects by reuse object name.

  The variable language analysis unit 33 analyzes the variable print data transmitted from the variable print data generation device 20, and generates information (referred to as page composition information) for composing each object in each layout frame.

  The image RIP unit 34 rasterizes image data designated as an object.

  The image composition unit 35 composes each object in each layout frame based on the page composition information generated by the variable language analysis unit 33 and generates composite image data. At this time, if a reuse object is designated, an object extraction request is issued to the object management unit 32, and the received object is combined. In addition, the image composition unit 35 generates tag bit data indicating whether the object of each pixel of the composite image is a character or an image.

  The printing unit 36 includes elements necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, that is, a charging device, a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a transfer roller, a transfer belt, and a fixing device. Etc. Specifically, the photosensitive drum uniformly charged by the charging device is irradiated with light according to the image data from the exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image, and the toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image by the developing device. The toner image is visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to a sheet via an intermediate transfer belt, and then heated and pressed by a fixing device to fix the toner image on the sheet. Do.

  The image reading unit 37 is a part that optically reads an image from the printed matter printed by the printing unit 36, and includes a light source that scans the printed matter, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) that converts light reflected by the printed matter into an electrical signal, and the like. Image sensor and an A / D converter for A / D converting electrical signals.

  The inspection unit 38 includes a composite image (referred to as a correct image) synthesized by the image composition unit 35, a scan image (referred to as an inspection image) obtained by reading a printed matter printed based on the composite image by the image reading unit 37, and the like. When the quality of printed matter is judged based on the comparison result, the fixed area is a comparison target, the variable area is excluded from the comparison target, and the fixed area and the variable area are compared according to different determination criteria. To do.

  The display operation unit 39 is configured by providing a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch panel) in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and a fixed area / variable area. / Decision criteria for each of margin area and character / image are set.

  The communication interface unit 40 is a NIC or a modem, and connects the variable print inspection device 30 to a communication network and performs communication processing with the variable print data generation device 20.

  In FIG. 3, the object management unit 32, the variable language analysis unit 33, the image RIP unit 34, the image composition unit 35, the inspection unit 38, and the like are configured as hardware. However, the variable print inspection apparatus 30 functions as the above-described unit. It is good also as a structure which comprises as a program and operates the said program on the control part 31. FIG.

  Next, the operation of the variable print data generation apparatus 20 will be described.

  The variable print data generation apparatus 20 specifies a layout according to a user's print instruction, takes out one record from the customer database and applies it to the layout frame in order to assign an image to each specified layout. Next, the image is mapped to the field instructed for layout to generate variable print data. This process is repeated until the synthesis of one page is completed.

  When the synthesis of one page is completed, identification information for identifying the printed matter, the file name of the image mapped to each field, and the like are converted into barcodes and added to the variable print data so as to be synthesized on the page. Then, this process is repeated until the customer database is completed. When the customer database is completed, the generated variable print data is transferred to the variable print inspection apparatus 30.

  The variable printing layout (correct print layout) created by the above procedure is as shown in FIG. 4. Characters and images registered as variable objects are inserted in the variable area, and reuse objects are displayed in the fixed character area. Are registered, the image registered as a reusable object is inserted in the fixed image area, and the other areas are blank areas.

  Next, the operation of the variable printing inspection apparatus 30 will be described.

  The variable print inspection device 30 receives the variable print data from the variable print data generation device 20, the variable language analysis unit 33 analyzes the variable print data, and the image RIP unit 34 RIPs the image data designated as the object. When the analysis of the variable print data is completed for one page, the image composition unit 35 performs image composition for one page and repeats this process.

  Next, the variable print inspection apparatus 30 performs an inspection process on the printed matter according to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the variable printing inspection apparatus 30 performs a correct image registration process (S110). FIG. 6 shows the details of the correct image registration process. First, the combined image of each page combined by the image combining unit 35 is stored in the RAM or HDD as a correct image (S111).

  At that time, based on the result of analysis by the variable language analysis unit 33, a fixed area, a variable area, and a blank area in the correct image are discriminated, and a character string and image data to be combined with the variable area are specified. Further, based on the tag bit data generated together with the synthesized image by the image synthesizing unit 35, it is determined whether the object synthesized in each of the fixed area and the variable area is a character or an image. Then, the type of each area, the position information (for example, coordinates) of the area, the information of the type of the object combined with the area, the character string, the file name of the image data, etc. (these are collectively referred to as area information). ) Is stored in the RAM or HDD (S112).

  In this embodiment, a composite image synthesized by the image synthesis unit 35 is used as a correct image. However, one of the printed materials to be inspected is test-printed, and the test print is printed on the image reading unit. The scanned image scanned at 37 can also be used. In this case, in order to determine an image to be combined with a variable area of each printed matter, it is necessary to store, as area information, image data obtained by rasterizing a variable object by the image RIP unit 34 in a RAM or HDD.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the variable printing inspection apparatus 30 performs inspection image registration processing (S120). FIG. 7 shows the details of the inspection image registration process. First, a variable printed material to be inspected is printed by the printing unit 46 (S121). Next, the printed material is scanned using the image reading unit 37 (S122), and the read image is stored in the RAM or HDD as an inspection image (S123).

  At that time, a character string obtained by reading characters in the variable area with an OCR (Optical Character Reader), information on the image in the variable area (for example, the file name of the image read from the barcode printed on the printed matter), etc. are also stored in the RAM or HDD. Store (S124).

  Returning to FIG. 5 again, the variable printing inspection apparatus 30 performs inspection processing (S130). FIG. 8 shows the details of the inspection processing. First, the identification number is read from the barcode to identify the printed matter, and the layout of the printed matter is recognized (S131). Next, an area is selected, and it is determined whether the area is a blank area, a fixed area, or a variable area based on area information stored in advance (S132).

  If it is determined in S132 that the area is a blank area, an error between the correct image and the inspection image is calculated according to a criterion set in advance for the blank area. For example, since the density difference and noise are considered to be conspicuous in the blank area, the average density difference / RGB density difference in the blank area and the size of the noise (dust / dirt) in the blank area for the correct image and the inspection image. , Number, average density difference / RGB density difference, etc. are calculated and compared (S133), and the error is added as a point (S142).

  If it is determined in S132 that the area is a fixed area, it is determined whether the object combined with the fixed area is a character or an image based on the previously stored area information (S134). The error between the correct image and the inspection image is calculated in accordance with a criterion set in advance for the character. For example, in a fixed character area, bit shift, density difference, and noise are considered to be conspicuous. Therefore, for correct images and inspection images, the number of bit shifts (upper and lower, left and right) of characters in the area, and average of character parts Calculate and compare density differences, RGB density differences, background average density differences, RGB density differences, background noise (dust / dirt) size and number, average density differences, RGB density differences, etc. In S135, the error is added as a point (S142).

  When the object combined with the fixed area is an image, an error between the correct image and the inspection image is calculated according to a criterion set in advance for the image in the fixed area. For example, in the fixed image area, the bit shift is inconspicuous, but the density difference and noise are considered to be conspicuous. Therefore, for the correct image and the inspection image, the average density difference of the image and the RGB density differences in that area Then, the size and number of noise (dust / dirt) in the image area, the average density difference, and the RGB density differences are calculated and compared (S136), and the error is added as a point (S142).

  If it is determined in S132 that the area is a variable area, it is determined whether the object combined with the variable area is a character or an image based on the previously stored area information (S137). On the basis of the character string, the character string is specified (S138), and the error between the correct image and the inspection image is calculated according to the criterion set in advance for the character in the variable area. For example, characters in the variable area are considered to be inconspicuous for bit shifts, density differences, and noise.For correct images and inspection images, the correctness of the character string, the font type / size / color of the character part, etc. The comparison is made (S139), and the error is added as a point (S142).

  When the object combined with the variable area is an image, the image is specified based on the area information stored in advance (S140), and the correct image and the inspection image are determined according to the criterion set in advance for the image of the variable area. The error is calculated. For example, since bit shift and noise are considered inconspicuous for images in the variable area, the correct and incorrect images, the average density difference of the images, and the RGB density differences are compared for the correct image and inspection image. (S141), and the error is added as a point (S142).

  Here, the correct image and the inspection image are compared for the variable area as well, but as described above, the characters and images synthesized in the variable area are printed only on the printed matter of each user. Since there is no reference image or there are many reference images, it is considered that the quality of the image does not significantly affect the appearance of variable printing, so the variable area is excluded from comparison. You can also Also, if the area of the margin is small or the entire surface is white (paper color), it is considered that the quality of the image does not significantly affect the appearance of variable printing, so the margin area is excluded from the comparison. You can also.

  Next, after the processing of S132 to S142 is repeated for all areas, it is determined whether the inspection result is OK or NG based on the error point. Then, the determination result (OK / NG) is registered (S143), and the inspection process for the inspection object printed matter is finished.

  When determining the inspection, the total limit value of each calculated value can be defined in advance. If the total of the calculated values exceeds the total limit value, the inspection result is determined to be NG. The total limit value may be set by a combination of arbitrary regions, or may be totaled after weighting each calculated value according to a parameter. Also, a limit value for only a specific calculated value or an arbitrary calculation result using the calculated value as a parameter may be set. For example, it can be defined to be NG only when the total of noise size × number exceeds a certain value for the blank area.

  Further, the RGB color elements of each region may be changed to CMYK, and for example, K + C × 0.8 + M × 0.5 + Y × 0.2 may be defined as the error of the region with respect to the density difference from the correct image. . This makes it possible to define an error according to the degree to which each color element of the density difference affects the human eye.

  Moreover, the limit value for each parameter can be set as an initial value, and can be arbitrarily corrected.

  Further, a limit value can be set separately according to the quality of inspection. For example, set the limit value strictly (low) for inspections for expensive prints that require high quality, and set the limit value loose (high) for low-quality, low-cost prints. Can do. Similarly, the limit value of each parameter can be changed and set according to the object to be inspected. For example, the limit value with respect to the density difference can be made stricter for a printed material for a photographic image, and the limit value for the density difference can be made softer for a printed material mainly composed of characters.

  Further, the limit value can be set according to the size and position of the region.

  In this way, by calculating the error between the correct image and the inspection image for each region, and determining pass / fail according to different determination criteria depending on the region, it is determined that a printed matter that is not actually problematic is NG, The problem printed matter is not judged to be OK, and the variable printed matter can be properly inspected.

  The basic operation of inspection in the variable printing inspection apparatus 30 has been described above. However, humans recheck the results of inspection determination, statistically analyze the tendency of the results, and readjust the set values for each limit value. You can also give feedback. Examples of the feedback method include the following examples.

  The scanned image is displayed on a screen such as the display / operation unit 39, and along with the pass / fail determination result, the area and the reason (area and parameter type) that are the main factors of the pass / fail determination are illustrated on the scan image. The person in charge of inspection confirms the result based on the screen display (confirms the actual printed matter if necessary), and performs re-determination. If the pass / fail result is changed by re-determination, it is input which area parameter is the main factor. Based on the input area and parameters, each limit value is fed back for each area using arithmetic processing by a statistical analysis method such as Bayesian theory. Then, it is learned what kind of tendency the inspection person in charge determines depending on the size and position of the region, and the learning result is fed back to the weighting at the time of determination. For example, a region having a large area or a region located at the center of the sheet is subjected to processing such as making the criterion more strict.

  Furthermore, areas with similar determination criteria are learned, and they are automatically combined and divided. That is, when it is detected that the determination tendency for a certain area A is substantially the same as the determination tendency for an arbitrary area B adjacent to the area A, the area A and the arbitrary area B are automatically combined, It can be handled as one area A ′.

  By repeating the above, the set value of the limit value can be brought closer to the human sense of the person in charge of inspection, and the variable printed matter can be inspected appropriately.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  The present invention is applicable to a variable print inspection apparatus having a function of printing based on variable print data and a function of reading a printed material.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Variable printing system 20 Variable printing data generation apparatus 21 Control part 22 Layout control edit part 23 Variable printing control part 24 Internal DB operation part 25 Variable printing data generation part 26 Communication interface part 30 Variable printing inspection apparatus 31 Control part 32 Object management part 33 Variable language analysis unit 34 Image RIP unit 35 Image composition unit 36 Printing unit 37 Image reading unit 38 Inspection unit 39 Display operation unit 40 Communication interface unit

Claims (10)

A variable printing inspection device for inspecting a printed matter of variable printing,
An image compositing unit that generates a composite image by compositing an object to the variable printing fixed region and the variable region;
A printing unit that prints the composite image on paper to create a printed matter; and
An image reading unit that reads the printed matter and outputs a scanned image;
An inspection unit that determines the quality of the printed matter based on the result of comparing the synthesized image and the scanned image;
The inspection unit is a variable printing inspection apparatus, wherein the fixed area is a comparison target, and the fixed area is compared according to a first determination criterion. A variable printing inspection device for inspecting a printed matter of variable printing,
An image compositing unit that generates a composite image by compositing an object image with a fixed area and a variable area of variable printing;
A printing unit that creates a printed material based on the composite image;
An image reading unit that reads the printed matter and outputs a scanned image;
An inspection unit that determines the quality of the printed matter based on the result of comparing the synthesized image and the scanned image;
The inspection unit compares the fixed area according to a first determination criterion, and compares the variable area according to a second determination criterion different from the first determination criterion. apparatus.   The variable print inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second criterion is different depending on whether an object combined with the variable area is a character or an image.   The variable print inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first determination criterion is different depending on whether an object combined with the fixed area is a character or an image.   The inspection part further includes a blank area other than the fixed area and the variable area as a comparison target, and compares the blank area according to a third determination criterion. The variable printing inspection apparatus according to 1. A variable printing inspection method for inspecting a printed matter of variable printing,
An image compositing step for generating a composite image by compositing an image of an object with a fixed region and a variable region of variable printing;
A printing step of creating a printed material by printing the composite image on paper;
An image reading step of reading the printed matter and outputting a scanned image;
An inspection step for determining pass / fail of the printed matter based on a result of comparing the synthesized image and the scanned image;
In the inspection step, the fixed area is set as a comparison target, and the fixed area is compared according to a first determination criterion. A variable printing inspection method for inspecting a printed matter of variable printing,
An image compositing step for generating a composite image by compositing an image of an object with a fixed region and a variable region of variable printing;
A printing step of creating a printed material based on the composite image;
An image reading step of reading the printed matter and outputting a scanned image;
An inspection step for determining pass / fail of the printed matter based on a result of comparing the synthesized image and the scanned image;
In the inspection step, the fixed area is compared according to a first determination criterion, and the variable area is compared according to a second determination criterion different from the first determination criterion. Method.   The variable print inspection method according to claim 7, wherein, in the inspection step, the second determination criterion is changed according to whether the object combined with the variable area is a character or an image.   9. The variable according to claim 6, wherein, in the inspection step, the first determination criterion is changed according to whether the object combined with the fixed area is a character or an image. Printing inspection method.   10. The inspection step further includes comparing a blank area other than the fixed area and the variable area as a comparison target, and comparing the blank area according to a third determination criterion. The variable printing inspection method according to 1.

Images